The Death and Resurrection of the KingSample

Betrayal in Jesus’ inner circle

“When it was evening, [Jesus] reclined at the table with the twelve. And as they were eating, He said, ‘Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.’” (Matthew 26:20-21)

Jesus and His disciples had prepared a Passover meal. Every year, this was a special moment of remembrance and celebration of God’s salvation. But this year, it was even more special. Jesus told His disciples, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:15-16) This was Jesus’ final meal with His friends before He would die.

Against this background, it is all the more shocking to read Jesus’ words in Matthew 26:21, “One of you will betray Me.” It was one of the twelve; one of Jesus’ closest followers. As Psalm 41:9 phrases it, “Even My close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against Me.”

From previous verses, we know Judas was the betrayer. Jesus knew this, too. But the response of the other disciples makes clear that they had no clue. They could not even imagine that one of them would do such a horrible thing!

Have you ever been ‘betrayed’ by someone you trusted? How did that make you feel? What did you learn from this experience?